December 22, 2010

Cook County’s two top government watchdogs issued a warning this week to elected officials, telling them that hiring relatives who will work under their direct supervision violates the county’s ethics code.

The letter, sent to County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and all 17 commissioners, came less than two weeks after new Assessor Joseph Berrios hired his son and sister to work for him. Copies of the missive also were sent to nine other elected county officials, including Berrios.

“It’s trying to kill a dead horse,” Berrios said today of the letter and the controversy sparked by his hiring decisions. “I don’t know who requested it.”

The letter was written by Patrick Blanchard, the county’s inspector general, and MaryNic Foster, the county's top ethics official. The letter does not refer to Berrios, and states that it is “advisory” and “not the direct product of a specific investigation.”

But it seemingly takes aim at Berrios, noting that the county ordinance does not make exceptions for policy-setting employees who are not subject to the federal ban on political hiring. It also states there is no exception for “a high degree of competence.”

Berrios has stressed that the jobs taken by his son and sister were exempt from the political ban. Noting they previously worked for him at the county property tax appeals board, he also said they were well qualified and reliable.

All 50 aldermen on the Chicago City Council had to file paperwork earlier this year detailing their outside income and gifts. The Tribune took that ethics paperwork and posted the information here for you to see. You can search by ward number or alderman's last name.

The Cook County Assessor's office has put together lists of projected median property tax bills for all suburban towns and city neighborhoods. We've posted them for you to get a look at who's paying more and who's paying less.

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